2012 Hyundai Accent GLS Sedan Prices & Specs

The USP of Hyundai Accent has always been its price. Or, in other words, its low price. The 2011 accent could be brought for just about $9.985 plus shipping.

However, those prices are a thing of the past: presently, the 2012 Hyundai Accent GLS starts at $12.445 plus $760 for shipping.

If you want more features, (automatic transmission, Air Conditioning, fog lights, cruise control, remote keyless, Bluetooth, 16-inch alloy wheels in place of 14-inch steelies, upgraded interior trim, and floor mats), you are looking to spend about $17,350. At this rate, we expect to see a much better 2012 Accent when compared to the 2011 version – the $3.000 question is, do we?

From the front, it is even hard to tell them apart; from the side, both the cars have a similar stylized shape. The major difference in external appearance comes from the lengths of the cars – at 172 inches, the Accent is 6 inches shorter than the Elantra, which makes it appear thicker in its midsection.

The interior of the 2012 Accent is much less ostentatious than other cars such as Elantra.

We have a clean and straightforward interior design made up mostly of attractively textured plastic, and with handy controls, including three separate knobs for HVAC. The premium version has richer trim which gives it an upscale touch.

The front seats of the car are comfortable, firm and provide quite a good amount of lateral support. If you are a tall person, or one will use the car, you should not have any troubles there – the front seat has goodish amount of legroom too.

The rear seats too are quite comfortable for all concerned, especially when the front seat is positioned for the average adult male. We have observed that the Accent offers even more legroom and space for its rear seat than does the Elantra.

Weighing at 2,463 pounds, the car is about 200 pounds lighter than a Ford Fiesta or a Chevrolet Sonic, but its powerful engine makes sure that it does not feel that way.

The direct-injected 1.6L four-cylinder engine has a peak horsepower of 138, and is just 10 less than the 300-pounds heavier Hyundai Elantra.

The engine revs handsomely and sounds good too. The automatic transmission works well, though the driver has the choice of manual transmission too. Amid all this, the car is fun to drive. The motor-assisted steering helps, though it may feel artificial, as does the suspension, which comes off better than Elantra.

The car comes in both hatchback and sedan form, and as a hatchback it can be even termed attractive.